Desert Mountain Trail ©2012 Bo Mackison
Every soul innately yearns for stillness, for a space, for a garden where we can till, sow, reap, and rest, and by doing so come to a deeper sense of self and our place in the Universe. Silence is not an absence but a presence. Not an emptiness by a repletion. A filling up. ~ Anne LeClaire
When I want to do deep thinking, ponder the questions that, as of yet, have no answer, I head to the desert, walk one of the trails through this bountiful wilderness. I do some of my most productive thinking here, walking the desert path. Alone. In this deep stillness, the only sounds are far off – coyote in song.
Trail in the Sonoran ©2012 Bo Mackison
The desert is my garden; it is where I till, sow, reap, and rest. I walk the paths carved around the desert plants, trees, climb in and out of washes, struggle with the changes in elevation.
Ideas come out in plain view for consideration. I dissect my goals into tiny seeds, doable baby steps. Plans ripen, lead to commitment to action.
Desert Tree ©2012 Bo Mackison
My gratitude for the life I lead is huge. I speak to the desert, and so I, too, speak to the Universe. My list of gratitudes — people, places, events, things — is long. I give thanks, I cry at the wealth in my world, I sing a song of thankfulness, while wondering if the coyotes hear my off tune melody.
Nurse Tree to Young Saguaro ©2012 Bo Mackison
In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks. ~ John Muir
When I walk with nature, my world expands, I see where I stand in my life’s journey. I stand upon the Mother Earth, grounded, and feel connected to a greater plan for the greater good.
Saguaro Forest ©2012 Bo Mackison
To be alive, to be able to see, to walk, to have a place to live, music, art — it is all a miracle. I have adopted the technique of living life miracle to miracle. ~ Arthur Rubenstein
Tucson Mountain Park © 2012 Bo Mackison
Our way is not soft grass, it is a mountain path with lots of rocks. But it goes upward, forward, toward the sun. ~ Ruth Westheimer
Couple of Cactus © 2012 Bo Mackison
I speak to the tall saguaro – tell of my plans, my hopes, my fears. I ask for courage and patience and understanding. The desert responds in its steadfast stillness, yet answers and awareness boomerang towards me on rays of sunlight.
Desert Moon at Sunrise ©2012 Bo Mackison
If you look for the truth outside yourself,
it gets farther and farther away.
Today, walking alone, I meet it everywhere I step.
It is the same as me, yet I am not it.
Only if you understand it in this way
Will you merge with the way things are.
~ Tung-Shan
Strength. Courage. Understanding – all desert teachings, all are gifts from the desert.
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Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. Bo walks the deserts in Arizona, and pays attention.
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About Bo Mackison
This is beautiful – both the photographed desert landscape and your musing meditations. Thank-you!
Thanks, Marcie. I am so in love with the desert, I had to share.
Your photo’s of the desert reflect my feelings exactly. I wish I were there today. I enjoyed your Blog more than you will imagine. Looking forward to hearing from you on the 19th. luv, Jackie
Thank you, Jackie, for leaving such a kind comment! I am so happy that you enjoyed my blog and my take on the desert. I’m looking forward to our call too! Bo
wish i had my hiking boots, stick, water and shorts. alas i’m no where near the Sonoran desert.
You would love the sunny desert, Gandalf.
This is such a beautiful walk and meditation. Thank you, Bo. You’ve brightened up my day. 🙂
Thank you, Robin. I appreciate your kind words, so happy that this post brought a bit of brightness to your day.
Seeing the desert through your eyes is so interesting, Bo. I love how you are using the landscape and the climate to really concentrate on who you are and want to become. Odd how we have to leave home to find out who we are.
Thank you, Quinn. I do feel a special calm and sense of direction when I walk the desert. Looks like I perhaps have two homes now. 🙂
Bo, you can’t imagine how good it was to see this series of photos of the desert that I still love so much!
Montucky, the pleasure is mine. So glad you enjoy the view from here.